February 18, 2008	Monday	Safar 10, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 17: The Pakistan People’s Party has claimed that despite pre-poll rigging it would get enough seats to form governments at the centre and in Punjab without cooperation from any other party “provided no corrupt practices are used on election day”.

PPP deputy secretary-general Mian Raza Rabbani told Dawn that his party would also be in a position to form a coalition government in Sindh with the help of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The PML-N, on the other hand, has claimed that it would form governments at the centre, and in Punjab and the NWFP.

Spokesman Siddiqul Farooq said the PML-N would also try to set up its coalition in Balochistan. However, he doesn’t see much scope for the party in Sindh which, he said, would be swept by the PPP and the MQM.

The PML-Q said it would be a “leading party” in the elections but would “not” be in a position to form its government single-handedly. Vice-president Mohammad Ali Durrani said the PML-Q and its allies would form a coalition in Islamabad. He said his party would also form governments in Punjab and Balochistan.

In the NWFP, Mr Durrani said, no government could be formed without PML-Q’s cooperation.

In Sindh, he said, the PML-Q, MQM, PML (Functional) and independents would set up a coalition.

Mr Rabbani said the PPP, PML-N, MMA and PPP-S would share the cake in the NWFP. Similarly, he said, Balochistan seats would be shared by the MMA, PML-Q and PPP.

Asked what kind of results would not be acceptable to the PPP, Mr Rabbani said: “It will depend on the overall atmosphere on the day of elections.”

The PML-N spokesman said his party would also try to set up its coalition in Balochistan in cooperation with other parties. He said Sindh would be swept by the PPP.

Answering a question, he said the PML-N would not accept the results if the polls were rigged. Mr Durrani said the PPP-PML-N alliance had divided the anti-Musharraf vote to the benefit of the PML-Q. The anti-PPP vote was also supporting the PML-Q, the former information minister said, adding that the boycott decision taken by the APDM would also go in PML-Q’s favour.